Former Chelsea and France midfielder Emmanuel Petit has predicted that Argentina captain Lionel Messi will retire from professional football after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking to EscapistMagazine (via GOAL), Petit dismissed recent speculation linking the Inter Miami star with a return to his former club, Barcelona.
The French football legend argued that Barcelona’s rising star, Lamine Yamal, has already stepped into Messi’s role at the club and that the team has moved on.
“Lionel Messi has been linked with a loan back to Barcelona, but Lamine Yamal isn’t going to be on the bench,” Petit said.
“Messi could play in the No. 10, but we know that he doesn’t run, and can Barcelona control the midfield? There’s no way we’ll see Messi back at Barcelona.”
Petit concluded by expressing his admiration for the 36-year-old forward, wishing him well in his ambition to feature in the 2026 World Cup. “I wish him the best in getting to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and I think then he’ll retire,” he added.
Messi left Barcelona in 2021 after financial constraints prevented the club from offering him a new contract. He joined Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami in 2023.